Wheel-washer.



PATENTBD JAN. 8, 1907.

J. S. WILLIAMS.

WHEEL WASHER.

AIPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 5, 1006.

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n1: non/us PETERS c0" WAsI-Ilmrrok. a cv UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. 1,

JOHN WILLIAMS, or HURLEY, SOUTH DAKOTA.

WHEEL-WASHER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN S. WILLIAMS, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Hurley, in the county of Turner and State of South-Dakota, have invented a new and usei'ul Improvement in Wheel Washers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to means for washing the wheels of vehicles; and the object of the invention is to provide a device by which the wheels may be thoroughly cleaned'without soiling the hands or person and without in' jury to the paint or surface of the wheels. I accomplish this object by means of the construction shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a view of my invention in side elevation. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, and Fig. 3 is a lan view of the same.

Referring to the il ustrations, in which like parts are designated by similar letters of reference, A A are the sides of the box or trough adapted to hold the wheel and is of rectangula-r shape and flaring upward toward the to I3 is the bottom of the trough.

C is one end, firmly secured within the side pieces and extending upward to form a handle C. The op osite end of the trough is provided with a sliding door or gate D, which is fitted closely within the strips or cleats a 0;, making the gate water-tight. The opposite end of the box extends somewhat beyond the tightly-inclosed end 0 and forms a projection A, which helps to balance the weight of the box on the trucks or rollers E E. The rollers are slightly to one side of the middle of the box nearest the gate, and there being but one pair the washer is stationary in the position where placed. Side pieces I) b are secured to both the stationary end piece C and the ate to prevent the water from slopping or spil ing over the sides. Strips c c are secured to the upper edges of the side pieces near the ends for the same purpose. I

The side pieces are pressed firmly against the gate at the upper corners of the box by means of the spring-clamp F, which is bent to inclose the side pieces and is pivotally secured to the gate by the staple d. This insures atight joint on each side of the gate, as otherwise the upper part of the box might spread and permit the water to leak. On each side of the trough, near the center, is actached a fork G, the lower end or stem of which is bent inward and adaptedto be ad Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed September 5, 1906. Serial No. 833,353.

the wheel.

Patented J an. 8, 190 7.

justed to the slots 6 e in the bars H, secured which raises the wheel clear of the bottom of the trough. I have provided a fork or rest on each side of the washer; but only one will ordinarily be used, and that on the side most convenient. The other fork may be removed or permitted to drop down or be secured to the side of the box out of the way of the axle. The clamp F when the gate is opened is pushed outward clear of the sides of the box and when the gate is again closed is adjusted, as shown in the drawings.

On the inside of the box are secured the vertical half-round cleats e e. I have provided two on each side diagonally across from each other; but the number and position may be varied as is found most serviceable and convenient. The cleats tend to move the water against the wheel as the wheel revolves and keep the water stirred, thus serving in the rocess of cleaning. Near the center of the ox and between the cleats e are secured the vertical stri s ff, made of sheet-iron, tin, or other suitab e material. They are arranged in pairs, the outer edges being securedto the side of thebox by the cleats g g, the inner edges being free and extending outward in bow sha e from 'the box, leaving a narrow crack etween the edges. They extend from each side toward the middle of the box, nearly to the path of Sponges or rags may be inserted back of the strlps and, projecting out through the crack, wash the wheel as it is revolved in the water. They can be adjusted to any desired height, according towhich part of the wheel is in need of washing, and may readily be removed for rinsing. s

The projection A at the bottom of the trough may be left open at the top and will thus serve as a convenient receptacle for tools and sponges or cloths.

for the entrance of the wheel and is shod with iron h.

The construction of my washer may be The portion B of the bottom of the'box which projects out from the gate is beveled to form an incline IIO varied to suit individual convenience, particularly the arrangement of the cleats and strips which serve to apply the water to the wheel, without departing from the general principle or s irit of my invention, the main features of which being as herein shown and described.

-Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with a box or trough, a sliding gate or door at one end of said trough, and rollers on which the trough is mounted, of a fork or rest pivotally secured to one side of the trough and adapted to catch the axle of a wheel as it enters the trough through the open end, and raise the wheel clear of the bottom of the trough as the fork assumes an upright position, sub stantially as described.

2. In a wheel-washer, the combination with a portable box or trough, a sliding gate or door at one end of said trough, a springclamp pivotally secured to said door and adapted for adjustment to the sides of the box to press the sides against the edges of the door, of a fork or rest'adjustably secured to the side of the box and adapted to hold the wheel free of the box, cleats secured vertically to the inside of the box and strips scoured to the box and adapted to hold sponges or cloths projecting inwardly against the wheel, substantially as described.

3. In a wheel washer, the combination with a portable box or trough having a slidin gate or door at one end thereof, means for ho lding the wheel free of the bottom of the trough, of strips secured to the inside of the trough and adapted to hold cloths or sponges projecting against the wheel, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereby aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN S. WILLIAMS.

Witnesses:

H. C. GARDINER, J. S. NELSON. 

